Bathinda, Jan 19: Muktsar police shut down an illegal pharmaceutical manufacturing unit on Mansa Road in Bathinda today, seizing approximately 3.5 lakh narcotic tablets intended for the illicit market.
The raid followed a detailed investigation into an interstate drug trafficking network that traced the supply chain back to the industrial hub of Bathinda.
The operation led to the recovery of 1,85,000 loose tablets, 42,350 Zantadol tablets, and 1,22,400 Tanedol tablets, alongside 10 kg of raw chemical materials.
Police officials noted that the facility was producing scheduled drugs used by addicts without any legal authorization or safety oversight.
“The unit owner did not have any valid license and failed to provide any explanation or documents for the massive stock,” SSP Abhimanyu Rana said.
He further noted that the factory was sealed on the spot once the illegal nature of the production was confirmed.
The investigation originated at the Killianwali police station in November last year following the arrest of two brothers, Manish Kumar and Sahil Kumar. The duo was initially caught with Etizolam tablets, Pregabalin capsules, and 7.26 lakh in drug money.
Subsequent interrogations led police to Krishna Kumar and Vansh Kawatra, a medical store owner in Haryana, who were arrested earlier this month.
“During the raid, a large quantity of raw materials and evidence of unauthorized and illegal manufacturing of scheduled drugs were recovered,” the SSP said.
The police successfully traced a consignment of 30,000 tablets seized on January 5 back to the Bathinda factory, exposing the source of the contraband.
